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Medwest affiliation will benefit patients
By Kate Queen • Guest Columnist At the beginning of December, Mountain Medical Associates, an established, multi-specialty internal medicine practice…
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A good time to get back to the beginning
I’ve put my keyboard-soft finger on what is probably the most common flaw of the human species: the unnerving tendency…
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Going the distance: Hauling costs rise to reach Haywood’s far-flung landfill
Town residents in Haywood County will almost certainly see the cost of their garbage service go up this year when…
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New Macon commissioner offers solution to planning stalemate
With the advent of new leadership for commissioners, Macon County’s planning board could undergo a metamorphosis into what’s being dubbed…
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‘OccupyWNC’ a low-key, but intense affair
A loosely affiliated group of 30 some people have been quietly meeting, more or less each week, in Jackson County…
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Fighters rally to raise money for a good cause
A benefit to assist Western North Carolina resident Donna Smith, recently diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease, is set for Jan.…
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New emergency services director in Macon
David Key, longtime assistant director of Macon County Emergency Services, will take over as the agency’s director. Key has held…
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DSS services continue during relocation
Haywood County residents needing aid from social services will continue to receive it as the department shifts physical locations. Employees…
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Passion for old inn draws innkeeper back to Balsam
When Merrily Teasley returned for her second first day at the Balsam Mountain Inn in early September, a familiar couple…
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Macon County airport lands federal runway paving dollars
More than $2 million in mostly federal dollars will pay for repaving the runway at the Macon County Airport, likely…
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Resurrecting Balsam Mountain Preserve is one part business, two parts passion
New owners of the high-end Balsam Mountain Preserve development aren’t daunted by the choppy waters of Western North Carolina’s real…
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Mandatory meetings planned for tourism grant applicants
The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority will hold two mandatory workshops this month for any organization or event organizer applying…
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Bryson land-use standards up for public review
Critics of Bryson City’s land use regulations will get another opportunity to sandblast the ordinance. The town of Bryson City…
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Stuck in a rut: Too few jobs coming on line
Similar to other parts of the U.S., counties in Western North Carolina have been plagued with high unemployment rates and…
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Desperate for work, WNC residents flock to regional jobs fair
People once again lined up at the Biltmore Square Mall in Asheville last week, but this time they weren't waiting…
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Fontana Dam gets a temporary reprieve from post office closure
The town of Fontana Dam can still send and receive mail via its own post office — at least for…
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Bear shooting leads to a bevy of charges, from poaching to littering
Wildlife officers have charged a Cashiers man with killing a bear that he claimed was damaging his property, the second…
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Dogs’ anti-freeze deaths sadden families
Two dogs in the rural countryside of Upper Crabtree in Haywood County died from antifreeze poisoning last week, a tragic…
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The poetry in a weather’s sharp vision
Note: This essay was originally written for The Smoky Mountain News. It was subsequently revised and collected in Mountain Passages,…
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Farm and forest land eligible for tax breaks
If you have 10 acres or more of agricultural land or five acres of horticultural land and make a gross…
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Help the environment farming, the feds might help you
Farmers are eligible for grant money to help with projects to make their operations more environmentally-friendly through the USDA’s Natural…
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Group runs to inspire half-marathon hopefuls
If the holidays resulted in a few extra inches to your waistline and you’re determined to get fit, a free…
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The ethics of conservation in your own backyard
A program called “Land Ethics: Reconnecting with the Natural World” will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12 at…
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HCC a national model of sustainable practices
Haywood Community College’s hard work to build a sustainable campus is featured on a campus sustainability case study database. The…
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Mount Mitchell gets new superintendent
Bryan Wilder, a veteran state park ranger, has been promoted to superintendent of Mount Mitchell State Park. Wilder takes over…
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A Wild Week in the Wilderness
The 22nd Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week is scheduled for Jan. 7-14 in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. This year’s Wildlife Week boasts…
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Origin of WCU white squirrel a mystery
A rare sighting of a white squirrel at Western Carolina University has workers there abuzz. The squirrel has been spotted…
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Separating the good guys from the bad
About 20 years ago, the book collector’s magazine “First” published an impressive article on George Pelecanos, a new writer that…
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Suzanne Raether at City Lights
Suzanne Raether will read from and sign her novel, Judaculla, Friday, at 7 p.m. on Jan.13 at City Lights Bookstore…
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“Coffee with the Poet” series kicks off new year
Michael Revere will present his poetry for the January “Coffee with the Poet” series at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 19…
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Vigil planned for troops
Honor the troops who have fought in the war in Iraq by participating in a candlelight vigil on Friday, Dec.…
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Support available for prostate patients
MedWest Health System is sponsoring “Man to Man” support group meetings for prostate cancer patients and survivors. The meetings are…
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Judo classes to start
Beginner judo classes in Waynesville start Jan. 3 through the Waynesville Kodokan Judo Club. The club practices at the Waynesville…
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Going for the green: Tribe debates future course for Sequoyah Golf Club
Despite a double-digit rise in revenue this year, the Sequoyah National Golf Club in Cherokee is at least five more…
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School wants to help foundation
Smokey Mountain Elementary seventh-grade students will help the Tye Blanton Foundation through their “Service to Others” project. Tye, who died…
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Mustang magic: Magazine marvels over restoration job by Franklin man
Jim Pennington’s rebuilt Mustang car is a thing of beauty. Candy-apple red, spotlessly clean, sleek lines and an immaculate, original…
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2011 In Review
The Smoky Mountain News takes note this week of some of the newsmakers of 2011 by handing out our annual…
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Who will Haire’s heir be? State office holder’s retirement opens up race for House
N.C. Rep. Phil Haire’s decision not to run for re-election after 14 years in office opens the door for a…
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Long-time state legislator retires
N.C. Rep. Phil Haire, D-Sylva, will retire from the state legislature this year after 14 years in office. Haire will…
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Building community protects against calamity
While reading the article “Getting ready: Growing number of preppers work to ensure survival in case of societal collapse” (Dec.…
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99 percenters better pay attention to GOP
To the Editor: To all 99 percenters. You had better be paying attention to what Newt Gingrich and his cronies…
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Does the right practice what it preaches?
To the Editor: We find ourselves during the holidays celebrating the birth of a man whose teaching greatly affected our…
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Cutting Russ Avenue trees was bad move
To the Editor: I think that clear-cutting the slope on Russ Avenue across the road from Kmart was ridiculous. I…
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Why spend money moving art during tough times?
To the Editor: As I bounce merrily along the potholes on the way into town, I often wonder if the…
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Staring down a blank computer on deadline
It happens to writers much better than me. I know this, because I need only to open a book and…
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Numbers tell the tale: New Jackson library a self-fulfilling prophecy
The number of people applying for library cards in Jackson County has doubled since the new library opened this summer.…
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New Sylva library top in the state
Everyone who has seen and toured Jackson County’s new public library knows that it’s beautiful, but now the state has…
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Waynesville begins fund drive to pay for historic arch replica
Donations are already rolling in for the Waynesville Art Commission’s latest public art piece, a replica of the historic Smokies’…
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Clyde’s top cop sidelined on suspension
Clyde’s police chief has been placed on suspension, but town leaders are not saying why. Police Chief Derek Dendy is…
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Motorcycle battle royale: Maggie parleys with Rally in the Valley, Thunder in the Smokies to negotiate truce
The coordinators of the annual Rally in the Valley motorcycle event have strapped Maggie Valley leaders a seemingly impossible ultimatum…
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